The fourth and final incarnation of the Polo Grounds, home to, at different times, the New York Giants was demolished in 1964, and a public housing project--the fourt 30-story apartment building The Polo Grounds Towers was erected on the site. Willie Mays Field (an asphalt playground with 6 basketball courts) is where center field used to be; a brass historical marker notes the spot. Demolition of the Polo Grounds began in April of that year with the same wrecking ball that had been used four years earlier on Ebbets Field. The wrecking crew wore Giants jerseys and tipped their hard hats to the historic stadium as they began the dismantling. It took a crew of 60 workers more than four months to level the structure.
The Polo Grounds IV served as home to the following teams:
* New York Giants (NL), 1911-1957
* New York Yankees (AL), 1913-1922
* New York Giants (NFL), 1925-1955
* New York Bulldogs (NFL), 1949
* New York Titans/Jets (AFL), 1960-1963
* New York Mets (NL), 1962-1963
Tags: New york City Manhattan NYC baseball football New York City Housing Authority NYCHA projects Polo Grounds Harlem Polo Grounds Towers apartments public housing project New York Giants New York Mets Giants Mets Jets New York Jets New York Titians New York Yankees Yankees New York Bulldogs NFL AFL MLB sign ny New York
Rucker Park, located the Harlem area that once housed the Polo Grounds on 155th and 8th Avenue, was host to the original Rucker Tournament and the Rucker Pro League. It has hosted the Entertainer's Basketball Classic (EBC) since the 80's.
The basketball tradition began with Holcombe Rucker who ran a semi-professional basketball tournament at a playground on 7th Avenue between 128th and 129th streets starting in 1946. The tournament moved to the current location in 1965. Currently the Entertainers Basketball Classic (EBC) league represents the highest level of play on the courts. The Terror Squad, sponsored by rapper Fat Joe, has won the EBC championship in 2002, 2003, and 2004.
During league play, MCs give the action flavor through constant play-by-play and by teasing players for bad plays and perceived weaknesses. Otherwise, the park is known for the high level of basketball played publicly, particularly for its streetball style.
Rucker Park has been home to NBA and streetball legends such as Pee Wee Kirkland, Earl "The Goat" Manigault, Wilt Chamberlain, Connie Hawkins, Julius Erving, Nate Archibald, and Earl Monroe.
Tags: NYC New York City Rucker basketball Holcombe Rucker Basketball Courts Harlem Rucker Court basketball park Rucker Park Entertainers Baksetball Classic park playground Polo Grounds streetball Rucker Tournament Rucker Pro League Manhattan ny New York
Charles' Southern Style Kitchen
2841 Frederick Douglass Blvd
Charles Gabriel's Harlem restaurant is tiny, and it certainly isn't glamorous--plastic tablecloths and a large television are among the most arresting features of the decor--but it's friendly, and the food's great. Once you bite into the succulent fried chicken, you'll realize that's all that matters.
Charles' offers two plans of attack: takeout and buffet. Main dishes for takeout consist of whatever Charles feels like making that day, but the fried chicken is legendary, as are oxtails. Other specialties include salmon cakes, liver and onions, smothered pork chops, baked bluefish as well as sides like macaroni and cheese, collard greens and okra and tomatoes. The all-you-can-eat buffet features many of the takeout choices plus dishes like stewed beef, supremely tender barbecue ribs and a perfect potato salad.
Tags: Charles Southern Style Kitchen Charles Kitchen Charles Southern Kitchen Harlem restaurant fried chicken NYC New York City sign Manhattan neon all you can eat buffet Charles Gabriel window ny New York
Charles' Southern Style Kitchen
2841 Frederick Douglass Blvd
Charles Gabriel's Harlem restaurant is tiny, and it certainly isn't glamorous--plastic tablecloths and a large television are among the most arresting features of the decor--but it's friendly, and the food's great. Once you bite into the succulent fried chicken, you'll realize that's all that matters.
Charles' offers two plans of attack: takeout and buffet. Main dishes for takeout consist of whatever Charles feels like making that day, but the fried chicken is legendary, as are oxtails. Other specialties include salmon cakes, liver and onions, smothered pork chops, baked bluefish as well as sides like macaroni and cheese, collard greens and okra and tomatoes. The all-you-can-eat buffet features many of the takeout choices plus dishes like stewed beef, supremely tender barbecue ribs and a perfect potato salad.
Tags: Charles Southern Style Kitchen Charles Kitchen Charles Southern Kitchen Harlem restaurant fried chicken NYC New York City sign Manhattan neon all you can eat buffet Charles Gabriel ny New York
Macombs Dam Bridge is a swing bridge spanning the Harlem River, 2.3 miles from the mouth, near Yankee Stadium. Opened on May 1, 1895 at a cost of $1.3M, it is the 3rd oldest bridge in New York City and stands 2,540 feet in length with a wing span of 408 feet.
Tags: New York City NYC bridge Harlem River Drive Harlem River Macombs Dam Bridge Harlem Manhattan Bronx swing bridge Macombs Dam ny New York